It is a perfectly reasonable assumption that the biggest clue to the identity or inner mind of the Zodiac Killer should reside within the many communications he mailed over several years - the window to his soul if you like. He began his contact with the newspapers using three encoded messages on July 31st 1969, in part stating "when I die I will be reborn in paradise and all the (people) I have killed will become my slaves". The November 9th 1969 'Bus Bomb' letter continued this theme, promising to "change the way the collecting of slaves". The emphasis on paradice and slaves would continue through the July 26th 1970 'Little List' letter, the October 27th 1970 'Halloween' card and the March 13th 1971 'Los Angeles' letter. One could make the argument that this was designed to throw investigators off the scent, but one could equally make the case that the Zodiac Killer picked up the concept of victims becoming his slaves in the afterlife through personal experiences in his everyday life. The language we use and the words we speak are a product of the environment we live in. The 1960s and 1970s were a turbulent time in respect to race relations, with San Francisco no exception - and the Zodiac Killer having mailed the overwhelming majority of his communications from this location was not impervious to the society he operated in. As still exists in American society, the enmity between police and the black community has a long and well documented history.

Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks

Taking the Zodiac Killer as a product of his society, in tandem with the volatile racial tensions that permeated 1960s San Francisco and beyond, we will explore the "slaves in the afterlife" reference in the Zodiac communications from the angle of a racist connotation. Zodiac researcher Randall Scott Clemons, author of the website 'Zodiac Killer Enigma, Cracking the Zodiac Killer Code', contacted me regarding this topic - and the information he provided is the inspiration behind this article.

Entitled Spiritualism, Summerland, Slavery in the Afterlife by Emily Sosolik, this informative piece of writing showed the undeniable connection between religiosity and racism as a never ending bond of subservience. Here is a small extract: "No topic illustrated this dichotomy more than slavery. Much has been written about the egalitarian nature of Spiritualism, but the focus of the present piece is on Spiritualism in practice and how Spiritualists often used the movement to preserve the systemic racism of American society. When confronted with the overarching issue of slavery, Spiritualists used spirit messages to fashion a version of the afterlife called the Summerland which calmed their fears but perpetuated the subservient role of African Americans. And since Spiritualism’s focus was inward, on enlightenment of adherents, and upward on knowledge of the afterlife, the movement invariably distracted from acknowledging, understanding, and remedying the social inequality present on Earth". Zetojournal.com.

Randall Scott Clemons was searching for a link between "slaves in the afterlife" and the Zodiac Killer, from the perspective of where this phrase originated in his mind, prior to putting pen the paper. In other words, the Zodiac Killer didn't just pluck this phrase out of thin air - his interaction within society shaped him as a person and possibly influenced his propensity to adopt this form of language within his communications. Randall Scott Clemons then found an extremely interesting book entitled Parental Discretion is Advised; The Rise of N.W.A and the Dawn of Gangsta Rap featuring a section on the brutal beating of Rodney King on March 3rd 1991 by Los Angeles Police Department officers, sparking riots in 1992 after the acquittal of three of the four defendants. The book made reference to phrases used by LAPD officers via computer transmissions in their patrol cars.

Here is an extract from the book:"Racial bias was rampant in the department, with an LAPD survey agreeing that prejudice on the part of officers towards citizens contributed to a negative interaction between police and the community, and that bias often led to use of excessive force. The report also showed how often incidents involving racial slurs from white officers against minority colleagues were frequently ignored. The culture of racism was so prevalent, officers were comfortable enough typing disparaging messages on computer transmissions between squad cars: "If you encounter these negroes, shoot first and ask questions later". "Sounds like monkey-slapping time". I'm back over here in the projects, pissing off the natives". "Everybody you kill in the line of duty becomes a slave in the afterlife".

These phrases are not only deeply racial, they also do not exist in isolation of the time they were uttered - but have origins -often passed from one generation of police officers to another. This drives to the heart of the question - as to how long these 'police phrases' have been in existence and whether the Zodiac Killer may possibly have been involved in law enforcement prior or current to the murders in the Bay Area. Had the Zodiac Killer worked for the Los Angeles Police Department during this racially charged era in American history, picking up the phrase "Everybody you kill in the line of duty becomes a slave in the afterlife", and conveniently dropping the introduction to disguise his profession? As a law enforcement officer seeking victims in his spare time, access to copious seized weapons would be of little difficulty.

Black slavery in America is well documented, and may shed new light on the design of the October 27th 1970 'Halloween' card, featuring four methods of execution commonly employed in the burning, lynching, shooting and stabbing of appropriated slaves. When we tie in the cross formation of paradise and slaves back into the equation, the inspiration and motivation of the Zodiac Killer in choosing this form of language may focus the eye in a whole new direction. The March 13th 1971 letter to the Los Angeles Times stated "If the Blue Meannies are evere going to catch me, they had best get off their fat asses + do something. Because the longer they fiddle + fart around, the more slaves I will collect for my after life".

The admonishment of police by the Zodiac Killer and his adoption of the phrase "slaves in the afterlife" may indicate a history between the two - albeit one that likely didn't end on the best of terms.

I completely agree that Forensic Linguistics is a great way to solve the Zodiac case. Remember, the FBI caught Ted Kaczynski (Unabomber) on the peculiar phase that he wrote “you can’t eat your cake and have it too”.

Reply

Drew

5/12/2019 04:36:27 pm

Interesting stuff Richard! It would certainly be interesting to learn how far back police have used such phrases. I wonder if any police recognized the Zodiac's usage.

Of course if we learn that it was an old/common police phrase (it certainly doesn't sound new) then we will really need to reevaluate our idea of the intention behind all the needling. I wouldn't assume that he was a police officer because of the phrase (why drop such a hint if not to obfuscate), but it may well indicate that he had political/social reasons to hate cops (SLA?), rather than just a regular criminality-based bias.

Hope you are well Richard! I'm quite busy myself for the next few weeks but hopefully I will have some time soon to return and pull on your ear about more intricate/inane case details!
cheers

Very interesting article from you,Richard,and has much,for which to contemplate.

Such a sensitive subject matter...and no doubt,sensitive issues,at the time,that an extotionist,like the Zodiac,would be immediately attracted to,for the purposes of putting as many members of the establishment,on the back foot,as was possible.

For any members of zodiackillersite :

The ''ALA'' section : ''ALA's proficiency with or interest on ciphers'' :

The first of the second batch of FBI files [1973 Planner] is WJGrant...who was ''not'' the Zodiac.

The second of the second batch of FBI files....is almost entirely,Gareth Penn....who was ''not'' the Zodiac.

Although meaning well,Penn was ''no mathematician''....a gifted linguist,who fancied himself as a mathematician....and thought that most of the Zodiac's ''coded'' work,would become understandable,through ''High School'' geometry and the Binary system.

Neither of which,was true.

As the second batch of FBI files ''moves'' into areas,such as the Fairfied Letters....that's when we are seeing the ''Real Zodiac''.

However ''strange'' it might be,for some to get used to the idea...the crux of the Zodiac's ''raison d'etre'' was persecution of the ''hapless'' WJGrant.

Last Friday,I spoke to an assistant of Senator Diane Feinstein about the ''shenanigans'' at Diablo Valley College.To be sure that democratically elected members of the public,are aware of what Law Enforcement ''servants'' of the public,are trying to achieve,in stopping the further incitement of threats of violence,and racial hatred.

These ''Whack Jobs'' have to be desisted from continuance of their incidious and irresponsible ways [?].

Even those that create ''imaginary friends'',to assist them [?].

But to-day is a sad day,for American culture,and we should stop,to reflect for a moment.

The ''Queen'' has departed.

Doris Day R.I.P.

Reply

Richard

5/13/2019 08:25:12 am

I have to thank Randall who pointed out the phrase used by law enforcement (LAPD). It certainly is food for thought, irrespective of whether we consider Zodiac has an occupational history with the police or not. I am fine, but original topics are getting extremely difficult to find. In respect to Zodiac Killer Site Rubislaw, I found the letter mailing examination extremely useful - a form of geographical profiling if you will. The topic I would love to cover is the Oakland A's letter, which although scant on information, is interesting nonetheless. It may not be Zodiac, but as you know, there are many letters that we probably both were sceptical about and have changed our minds. The Fairfield letters, Monticello card and Pines card are 4 examples where I have no doubt whatsoever now. The Oakland A's letter is something I'd love to cover, but without being able to add something new, I won't bother. I'll leave the Grant stuff, because you know my position on that.

Reply

Tom1

5/14/2019 05:51:25 am

Randall has done some great work on the Zodiac case. His site was the first one that I found when I first searched the internet for info on Mr Z. I did this while recuperating from hip surgery in Nov 2017. I had a possible Zodiac encounter in Calif, back in the day and googled up the location. Guess what, Randall had published an article about a possible Zodiac connection to the location of my event. I proceeded to read everything on his site, The Zodiac Enigma. He has done extensive research on the ciphers and related activity. His approach is very objective. The ciphers, the MO, the murder locations, and other factors may be a cipher in themselves that may reveal the identity of the Zodiac. One of the profilers featured in a earlier post on this site alluded to that very possibility.

On the recommendation of ''Beach Boy'',Dennis Wilson,Melcher had auditioned Charles Manson,as a singer...and had turned Manson down.

Manson was to pay unexpected visits to 10050 Cielo Drive,thereafter,looking for Melcher.With Wilson having been forced to flee his home,owing to the Manson Clan simply moving in,Doris Day told her son,Terry,to move out of 10050 Cielo Drive.

Rudi Altobelli then rented out the property to Polanski and Tate.

On August 9th 1969,The SF Chronicle gave news of the Hardens having solved Z408...then,one day later,published the cipher solution,itself.

So,on August 10th 1969,the Zodiac was exposed to the humiliating news that a couple of schoolteachers had solved his ''easy'' cipher.This would have been coupled with news starting to emerge,of the horrors of the Tate murders....which were then followed,within hours,of the LaBianca murders.

Shortly afterwards,the Zodiac would take stock,including the reality that his terror campaign,was starting to lose momentum.

''That'' is when,in all probability,that the Zodiac started to plan for ''Berryessa'' and ''Presidio''.

Film producer,Rudi Altobelli,moved back into his property,three weeks after the Tate murders....and lived there,until 1989.

In 1994,the property was demolished,and a new house ''Villa Bella'' was built on its foundations....with new address,10066 Cielo Drive.Past tenants had included Lillian Gish,Cary Grant and Henry Fonda.

Doris Day had spent many years,in retirement,campaigning for animal rights.She has left instructions that she will not have a funeral,nor memorial service.In addition,that she will be buried in an unmarked grave.

Perhaps,in another 130 years,just like the ''Elephant Man'',recently,someone will discover where she is buried...and give her a headstone [?].

Inscription for one of the most iconic ''songstresses'' of the 20th Century [?].

Hello everyone. I have been researching zodiac for last couple of days.Theres this thought that sits in my mind, what do you guys think about the first letter, the confession of 1966 killing. Was it signed by - Z ? just z? im thinking, if its the zodiac in its early stage.. maybe he wasnt sure of his nickname yet and signed by his first letter or his name or surname? and later on, when he becomes the zodiac he continues, only now he signs by the zodiac instead of just z.. i was thinking about it and thought, damn, if im that focked up, writing a confession and sign it by just one single letter, i definitely would want it to be the letter of my name, it might be dumb, i agree, but i believe that the feeling u get from it, makes u feel quite powerfull for a moment and kind of proud i guess. that u let them know, u give away a little part of urself, ur identity.. and they cant do much with just one letter anyways.. idk what do u guys think? it just makes me think that there is someone we have all missed, passed by, someone was underrated thats for sure.
p.s i really enjoy reading up on all this, thanks to everyone who still tries to get to the truth, cheers!

Reply

ThisisH

6/26/2019 04:43:53 pm

Nevermind, I just found an article where u guys discuss this, I didn't know that the letter Z wasn't Z at all. Anyway, I do agree with that, if we ever find out the zodiacs identity, most likely it is going to be someone we never heard of, or probably, his name is somewhere mentioned, but nobody never suspected him.. I understand that I'm discussing this in the wrong article, sorry about that, I'm new here.

Reply

Richard

6/27/2019 02:13:14 am

There is still a possibility he has given us clues to his name in the letters and cards, but in such a way we'll never be able to prove it. The questionable Exorcist letter (if Zodiac) may be one example, where he begins 'signed yours truley', and then recites a verse. The Riverside murder could be Zodiac, but very likely before he adopted his pseudonym. Unless he hid the Zodiac pseudonym in the undeciphered 18 symbols of the 408, notably he begins the three July 31st letters with just "murderer" and "killer". If there was any time to introduce himself as Zodiac, this was it. It all depends on whether he hid his identity in the final unsolved line.

ThisisH

6/27/2019 03:47:25 am

Well yeah, you can come up with a lot of names right there, so it is impossible to prove i guess. What is really interesting to me, i would like to know the reason, why he stopped and if he didnt stop, he stopped communicating.. The thing is, serial killers never stops killing while free..I had a thought that maybe he wanted to eliminate certain people with some kind of connection there and killed couple of others just so we would think its all random.. And by connection meaning with the females.. Since only males survived, seems to me that it was females that he wanted for 100% dead, maybe a coincidence, but i dont like to think of anything as a coincidence in this world.. It just doesnt seem to me like he was a real psycho serial killer.. i mean, it feels like it was a mission for him of some kind.. like one two and over, then fock around with media for fun and return to your ''normal'' self..

Richard

6/27/2019 04:45:37 am

Some serial killers apparently do stop, last victim of Dennis Rader in 1991, arrested 2005. Who bragged about all his murders. Possibly Gary Ridgeway, last victim 1993, arrested a decade later. Things do arrest their murderous tendencies but the compulsion always is likely under the surface. I don't believe he went much past the canonical five murders, possibly Donna Lass. As for his letters, I am convinced he sent the March 13th 1971 Los Angeles letter, the July 13th 1971 Monticello card, another 148 character cipher in 1971, and the DMV letter late 1971. I am mixed on the Exorcist letter, but the other 3 1974 letters I am not convinced were mailed by Zodiac. The Zodiac Killer to me had a distinct agenda - kill a few random people to get the attention of the police, newspapers and public, and then do what he liked doing best - mailing threatening and cryptic communications to terrorize everybody by extension. There is always a risk involved with murder, shown by his lucky escape after murdering Paul Stine. Sending communications has little risk factor, so he either stopped murdering or scaled it down drastically. My guess is he only killed the 5 we know of, wrote some letters, then died. He may have committed another murder and got jailed, and rotted away in anonymity. It is really difficult to say with any certainty. But he certainly had a mission. Personally, I have never bought the 'females were the primary focus of the attacks' argument. David Faraday was callously executed to his head, as was Paul Stine. Michael Mageau was struck 4 times directly, Ferrin 5, so no real difference there. Bryan Hartnell was attacked first, dealt 6 knife wounds, but played dead. Shepard was dealt 10 wounds, didn't play dead and rolled around. This accounts for why she received more wounds. The male was the primary target, because they posed the greater threat. The fact of the matter, is that Mageau and Hartnell were just extremely lucky. Believe me, it wasn't for the want of trying. The murders were certainly not his primary motivation, merely a requirement for the publicity and letter writing campaign that followed. But the five murders only bought him so much credit. By late 1970, early 1971, his threats carried less and less weight, until he realized his race was probably run.

ThisisH

6/27/2019 05:17:07 am

Very good points, hm.. I have watched some documentaries about murders, murderers and so on.. And specifically about cold cases.. There is this tv show - the unusual suspects and every single time, when there is an episode about how the case goes cold for years or even decade or decades.. when they finally realize what is up, i mean, when they finally gets to the real killer, a lot of times it is simply because that they missed out on some clue. It is basically a 50/50, either they missed up on some clue or time goes by and the dna testing has evolved and thats how they get them. Im pretty confident that there must be something that they missed all those years ago. Everybody makes mistakes, nothing is ever perfect.
About the ciphers, couldnt it be that he sent the first one pretty easy solvable on purpose? To gain trust in some way? That they will know the next ones will be harder to crack but will think that they are legit, but instead he just sents something uncrackable, some nonsense to laugh at everybody?
And whats your take on ArtLee letter to Toschi when he says im sorry i wasnt your guy.. wish i could help somehow.. I heard it somewhere, i havent seen the letter, but i heard it and i was like what? Who says that? And why? Sorry im not your guy? Cmon, right?

Reply

Richard

6/27/2019 05:46:29 am

Nobody has ever seen the ALA letter to Toschi, only that it was supposedly sent after his release from Atascadero Mental Hospital. If true, he was likely just hitting back after being railroaded as the Zodiac Killer. I have little interest in Arthur Leigh Allen as Zodiac, as with all the regularly touted suspects, but wouldn't rule them out 100%. But yes, I don't believe the 340 cipher (in particular) has any meaningful message as I outlined in my last article. I don't know where the "paradice and slaves" bisecting the 340 originated, but I first read it from a guy called Jos Kirps and have little doubt he was correct, particularly when I made the "sorry no cipher" connection. But I wouldn't be so bold to claim "solved" or proclaim it as the definitive answer, as you see plastered all over the internet. It's always best to keep an open mind.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.

Leave a Reply.

This website contains no advertisements. To help keep it running, any donations, however small, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Richard.